Plains Baked Beans

These Plains Baked Beans are a classic, rustic dish that transforms simple dried white beans into a rich, savory masterpiece. Slow-cooked for hours with salty pork, aromatic onions, and garlic, the beans absorb deep flavors from a blend of brown sugar, molasses, chili sauce, and ketchup. The result is a tender, cohesive casserole with a sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze that coats every bean. This recipe is perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or as a robust side dish to grilled meats. It offers a comforting, home-style satisfaction that tastes even better the next day, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.

Cooking Method: Baking, Boiling

Cuisine: American

Courses: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 12

Calories: 496.2

Dietary: Gluten-free

Description

These Plains Baked Beans are a classic, rustic dish that transforms simple dried white beans into a rich, savory masterpiece. Slow-cooked for hours with salty pork, aromatic onions, and garlic, the beans absorb deep flavors from a blend of brown sugar, molasses, chili sauce, and ketchup. The result is a tender, cohesive casserole with a sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze that coats every bean. This recipe is perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or as a robust side dish to grilled meats. It offers a comforting, home-style satisfaction that tastes even better the next day, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.

Ingredients

3 cup White beans, dried
8 oz Salt pork piece
1 cup Water, boiling
1 Onion, large, chopped
1 Garlic cloves, peeled/chopped
3 tablespoon Brown sugar
1/2 cup Chili sauce
1/2 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Molasses

Directions

1
Pick over the dried white beans to remove any debris, then wash them thoroughly.
2
Cover the beans with cold water and let them soak overnight.
3
Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot.
4
Cover the beans with fresh water and bring to a simmer over low heat.
5
Cook the beans until they just begin to become tender, about 30-45 minutes.
6
Rinse the partially cooked beans with cold water to stop the cooking process.
7
Place the rinsed beans in a large 4-5 quart casserole dish.
8
Score the salt pork piece in several places and place it on top of the beans.
9
Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the pork and into the casserole.
10
In a bowl, mix the chopped onion, garlic, brown sugar, chili sauce, ketchup, molasses, and the remaining 1/2 cup of boiling water.
11
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the beans and pork in the casserole.
12
Cover the casserole dish tightly.
13
Bake in a preheated oven at 300F (150C) for about 6 hours, or until the beans are completely tender and the sauce has thickened.
14
Check occasionally and add a little water if the beans appear dry during baking.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 496.2kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8.0g13%
Saturated Fat 2.0g10%
Cholesterol 20.0mg7%
Sodium 1210.2mg51%
Total Carbohydrate 97.1g33%
Dietary Fiber 11.0g44%
Sugars 33.5g
Protein 15.7g32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Serve these beans hot straight from the oven or cold as a picnic dish. They taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.

If you prefer not to use salt pork, you can substitute with 2-3 slices of thick-cut bacon or omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version, adding a splash of soy sauce or liquid smoke for depth.

Ensure the casserole dish is oven-safe and large enough to prevent overflow as the sauce bubbles during the long baking process.

For a faster method, you can use canned beans, but rinse them well and reduce the baking time to 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to combine.

Keywords: baked beans, white beans, dried beans, pork, molasses, brown sugar, slow cooked, american cuisine, savory, comfort food, potluck, casserole, vegetarian option, hearty, traditional, side dish

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/plains-baked-beans/